This degree program, recommended by the Academic Senate in its meeting
of December 3, 1981, forwarded by the President on December
18, 1981, authorized by the Chancellor on December 18, 1982, was approved
by the President on January 7, 1983.

The proposed major consists of 51 units of which 33 units are specified.
The remaining 18 units are electives selected from within specific
categories designed to provide selected skills and knowledges.

The upper-division course work is to be divided into five categorizes.

Category A is the theoretical and performance core course
consisting of 18 units. Although the purpose of these courses
is evident, a word about Course 345 is appropriate. The department
firmly believes that Speech Communications majors must receive training
and experiences in evaluative and judgmental thinking. The new
University General education requirement for course work in critical
thinking unfortunately does not emphasize this evaluative dimension.
(Although the study of deduction, induction, and standard fallacies
is important, it alone is insufficient.) Course 435, as proposed,
will provide the opportunity for students to engage in evaluative
thinking processes through the study and criticism of various forms
of public discourse.

Category B provides the student with a set of performance-related
speaking experiences. These experiences center on the determination
of communication goals in public discourse environments and the
organization and public presentation of message in support of those
goals.

Category C also provides a set performance experiences
but of a different nature. Most students who follow a major
of this type will usually find employment requiring frequent oral
presentations. A determined set of insufficiencies among many
students in this area is (1) the inability to read orally in an
audience-satisfying manner, (2) a lack of showmanship, and (3) the
inability to relate anecdotal stories and events. This category
will provide students with stories and events. This category
will provide students with an experiential course which stresses
many of these skills.

Category D consists of six elective units selected from
various aspects of Speech Communications directly related to Interpersonal
and Organizational Communication.

Category E consists of six elective units in Speech Communications
course work but with a wider latitude that offers students choices
depending on interest, intent, and career choices. The use
of Course 490 will be restricted to specific courses that are directly
identified as applying to the Interpersonal and Organizational Communication
major option. The internship provision will provide an opportunity
for selected students to gain work experiences in various public
and private organizations off campus. Enrollment will be limited
by the number of available internships, intern director availability,
and the number of qualified students. Admission to the internship
will be by application to the internship director whose permission
will be required.